讀經:約翰福音十九章

默想:「⋯他們就把耶穌安放(安葬)在那裡。」(約19:42)

默想一:主耶穌被釘死在十字架上之後,就近安葬的墓地是祂在世上的歸宿嗎?不是的!我們的救主耶穌跟其他宗教的教主最大的不同之一是什麼?其他的教主死後可在墳墓裡找到他們的屍體,但我們不能在墳墓裡找到耶穌的屍體。死了的教主不能給人永生,但耶穌能給人永生,因為祂從死裡復活。就是封了大石的墳墓不能封住祂,死亡也不能拘禁祂,主復活的大能帶給信靠祂的人極大的盼望。

默想二:主耶穌是神,無罪的人,怎麼要為我們受難?如果我們不明白,求神的憐憫,因為那表示我們還沒有看到自己本性的敗壞、骯髒、污穢,也表明我們對神的愛無動於衷,還不明白神愛世人的心腸,更不明白祂降生為人的目的。

禱告:親愛的主,感謝祢在十字架上的大愛。祢是神子基督,卻自甘卑微。祢受苦、受難、受死,就是為要拯救罪人包括我。祢的恩典何等奇異。若無死亡,何來生命?若無幽暗,何來光明?求祢幫助我,我願在今年歡慶祢的復活時,立志穿上新人,這新人是照著神的形像造的,有真理的仁義和聖潔(弗4:24)。奉耶穌基督得勝的名祈求,阿們!

Bible Reading: John 19.

Insight: “ . . .  they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:42)

Insight 1: After the Lord Jesus was nailed to the cross, was the nearby graveyard his final destination in the world? No! What is one of the most significant differences between our Savior, Jesus, and the rest of the leaders of other religions? The bodies of other leaders can be found in the tombs after their deaths, but we cannot find the body of Jesus in the tomb. A dead leader cannot give people eternal life, but Jesus can give people eternal life because He rose from the dead. Even a grave sealed with a large stone cannot seize Him, and death cannot confine Him. The power of the Lord’s resurrection brings great hope to those who trust in Him.

Insight 2: The Lord Jesus is God, a sinless man, why should He sacrifice for us? If we don’t understand, ask God’s mercy, because it means that we haven’t perceived the corruption, lewdness, and filth of our own flesh. It also shows that we are indifferent to God’s love, and we still don’t understand God’s love for the world, let alone His purpose of becoming a man and coming to this world.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your great love on the cross. You are Christ the Son of God, yet You humbled Yourself. You suffered, crucified, and died, only for the sake of saving sinners, including me. How amazing is Your grace. If there is no death, how can life resurrect? If there is no gloom, how can light glow? Please help me. When I celebrate your resurrection this year, I am determined to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24). I pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

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